Designing Cohesive User Interfaces for Embedded Systems – A DIY Approach
The Challenge for Engineers:
As engineers, our primary focus is on functionality and performance. We thrive on solving complex problems and pushing the boundaries of technology. But when it comes to UI design, we often find ourselves out of our depth. You want it to be intuitive, visually appealing, and seamlessly integrated with your project. This type of design requires a different set of skills – skills that many of us simply don’t possess.
The best results are usually going to come from a professional User Experience and User Interface Designer. It is difficult to replace the benefits of a highly skilled graphic designer, but the cost of hiring one can be out of reach for smaller projects or hobbyists. And relying on random images sourced from the depths of the internet is like navigating a minefield, with the constant risk of running into copyright issues for products that will be sold, or ending up with a mishmash of styles that detract from the overall user experience.
Fear not, fellow engineer! I’m here to introduce you to a game-changing solution: DIY UI design using off-the-shelf “UI Kits”. These collections of professionally designed images with a common theme are the secret weapon to create a cohesive and visually stunning UI for your embedded systems project, without breaking the bank or risking legal troubles.
Why DIY?:
Now, let’s talk business.
As a company, your bottom line is always top of mind. So, why should you consider DIY UI design for your embedded systems projects? It’s simple: time and money.
When you opt for DIY UI design using off-the-shelf UI Kits, you’re not just saving on upfront costs compared to hiring a professional designer. You’re also saving valuable time. Time that would otherwise be spent searching for the perfect images, negotiating licenses, or waiting for a designer to deliver the goods.
And as we all know, time is money. The quicker you can iterate on your HMI, the quicker you can get your product to market. And in today’s fast-paced business landscape, speed is everything. By embracing DIY UI design, you’re streamlining the design process, giving you more time to focus on the core competencies of your product and staying ahead of the competition.
But it’s not just about speed. It’s also about control. With DIY UI design, you have control over your UI, from the layout to the functionality. You’re in the driver’s seat, able to make changes on the fly and pivot as needed to meet the ever-changing demands of your customers and market, all without breaking the bank.
It is important to note that DIY UI design is not a substitute for the most crucial part of the design process, which is the User Experience. UI kits are exceptionally well made, and are usually up to date with the current trends in visual design, but these features do not guarantee an experience that is optimized for your user which will result in costs down the road to fix. In fact using UI kits may prove to be limiting in many ways when it comes to changes that need to be made based on user feedback. An experienced UX Designer can work within your project to ensure that design decisions are being made that will enhance the experience your user has, and ultimately make your product indispensable. For more information on the ROI of UX design check out this article.
So, if you’re looking to maximize your efficiency, minimize your upfront costs, and maintain a degree of control over your UI design process, DIY is the way to go.
Introducing UI Kits:
Enter UI Kits
Sometimes called Element Packs but it’s just a different name for the same thing. These can be the unsung heroes of UI design for embedded systems. Think of them as a toolbox filled with everything you need to build a beautiful UI from scratch. From buttons and icons to backgrounds and widget resources, these kits contain a comprehensive selection of design elements, all meticulously crafted by professional designers and tailored to a specific theme or style.
The beauty of UI Kits lies in their affordability and versatility. Instead of paying top dollar for a custom-designed UI or wasting hours scouring the internet for suitable images, you can purchase a UI Kit for a fraction of the cost and have access to a treasure trove of design assets at your fingertips. And because all the elements are designed with a common theme in mind, you can rest assured that your UI will have a cohesive look and feel, no matter how many different components you use.
Addressing Concerns:
Now, I know what you’re thinking
DIY UI design sounds great in theory, but isn’t it time-consuming? Won’t I have to learn complicated design software? And how can I be sure the final product will look professional? These are valid concerns, so let us address them now.
Firstly, while DIY UI design may require a bit of time and effort upfront, the payoff is well worth it in the end. By investing the time to learn the basics of design principles and familiarize yourself with the UI Kits available, you’ll be able to create stunning UIs in no time. And as for learning design software such as Photoshop, many UI Kits come with images pre-saved in raster formats (think .png) along with instructions that make the process as simple as dragging and dropping. With some options, exporting the assets you need just takes a couple of clicks.
As for the final product, rest assured that with a bit of practice and attention to detail, your DIY UI will look every bit as professional as one designed by a seasoned graphic designer. And if you ever get stuck or need feedback, there’s a wealth of online resources and communities where you can seek guidance and support from fellow engineers and designers alike.
Finding the Perfect UI Kit:
When embarking on your journey of DIY UI design, the first step is to find the perfect UI Kit for your project. But with so many options out there, where do you start? Fear not, for I’m here to guide you through the process.
One of the easiest ways to find UI Kits is by searching on stock photo websites. These platforms offer a wide range of professionally designed kits, with options to suit every style and theme imaginable. Start by using broad search terms like “UI Kit” or “Element Pack”, then narrow down your search by adding specific keywords to filter the results based on the look you desire.
For example, if you’re going for a modern look with subtle shadows and highlights, try searching for “neumorphic UI Kit”. Or if you prefer a more minimalist aesthetic with clean lines and two dimensional elements, then a “flat UI Kit” might be the way to go. Add a color to your search or even a use case like “finance” for a desired theme. Experiment with different combinations of keywords until you find the perfect kit that matches your vision.
Remember that these kits also have a creator behind them, many times an individual and not a big unresponsive company, so if you like the look but you want something updated, for example, new colors to match corporate branding, try and contact the creator directly to see if they will customize it for you, often for a small fee.
Curated Selection of Websites:
To make your search for the perfect UI Kit even easier, here’s a curated selection of websites where you can find high-quality kits directly:
- CreativeMarket.com has an entire section dedicated to it UI Kits and Libraries with easy licensing for personal or commercial use.
- iStockPhoto.com offers a good collection of UI Kits and Element Packs with simple licensing options.
- Freepik.com: As the name suggests, Freepik has a lot of free kits as well as a subscription model.
- Dribbble.com and DeviantArt.com: While primarily known as platforms for artists to showcase their work, these sites also host a treasure trove of UI Kits and design resources. Many creators offer their kits for free or for a small fee, and you can often find links to the creator’s own page or partner websites for additional options.
By leveraging these websites, you’ll have access to a diverse range of UI Kits, making it easier than ever to find the perfect design elements for your embedded systems project. So go ahead, start exploring, and unleash your creativity!
Conclusion:
Even if hiring a professional designer is out of reach, designing cohesive and visually beautiful user interfaces for embedded systems is no longer daunting. With the power of UI Kits at your disposal, you have everything you need to unleash your creativity and design UIs that not only look great but also enhance the aesthetic user experience of your projects. So why wait? Take the plunge into the world of DIY UI design and unlock the full potential of your embedded systems projects today! And stay tuned for the next installment, where I’ll walk you through tools and processes of designing a UI for an embedded system project using one of these amazing kits. Until then, happy designing!
Brian Deters is a Firmware Engineer with over 16 years helping bring products to life with intuitive graphical user interfaces. He started his career as an FAE and after moving into development he got his hands into every part of the Amulet ecosystem, which gave him the insights to transform constrained embedded systems into delightful user experiences. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his children and woodworking in his garage.